The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-12-28
The Host Oyerreached.

Chandelier said one day to Dame
Partlett: q" 1t is now time the nuts were
ripe; let us for once go on the noun
tains and eat as many as we can before
the squirrels take them all away"
" Yes, willingly" returned the other;
3" we will have a right pleasant day."
So they went together to the mountain,
and remaining there as long as it was
daylight, did not think of returning
home until the evening. Now l cannot
exactly tell you whether it was that
they had eaten immoderately, or that
they felt grand, but in short they were
disinclined for exertion and so tired
they would not go home on foot. Chan
ticleer was, therefore, obliged to con-
struct little carriage out of the nut
shells. When all was ready the hen took
her seat and directed the cock to har-
ness himself to the carriage. Very
fne!" replied he, {" 1 had rather 90
home on foot than so. No, no, we did
not agree for that. / shall be the
coachman and sit upon the box; but
you may draw the carriage yourself,
for l shall not"
While they were thus contending a
duck came quacking to the spot, saying,
Now, you thieves, why did you 90 on
my nut-mountain? Wait and l will
serve you both as you deserve" With
these words she rushed upon the cock
with open bill; but he was not idle, for,
striking the duck on the body with his
beak, and attacking her with his spurs,
she was obliged to beg for mercy, and
was compelled, as punishment, to al
low herself to be harnessed to the car
riage. Chandelier then took his seat
on the box as coachman, and did not
spare the duck, compelling her to 90 as
fast as she was able. After proceeding
thus for some time, they met two foot
passengers, pin and a needle, who
called out loudly, Stop! stop!" add
ing that as it would shortly be pitch
dark they were afraid of proceeding
and it was also so dirty in the roads
that they would be very happy to get
into the carriage; they were sorry to
add that they had been beguiled at the
tailor's outside the town into sitting
that they were slender folk, who would
not occupy much space, allowed them
to get into the carriage, after promising
not to tread on his toes.
Late in the evening they all ar
rived together at an inn, and not being
willing to continue their journey any
later, the duck, besides, being so weary
that she tottered from side to side, sc
they entered, intending to pass the
night. The host at first made many
excuses. His house was already full, he
said, for he thought within himself
that they might not prove very desir.
able guests. However, as they were
civil and promised him not only the
egg that the hen had laid on the way
but that he should have the duck, who
would lay him one every day, he at last
consented to their staying the night
The party upon this ordered their sup,
per and enjoyed themselves heartily.
Early the next morning, as day began
to dawn, and all in the house were yet
asleep, Chanticleer walked up the hen
fetched the egg, cracked it and ate il
up between them, throwing the shell on
the ashes. Then they went to the pin
and, finding her asleep, took her by the
head, and stuck her in the cushion OF
the hosts chair, the needle being
seized in the same manner and put
into his towel.
They then, without further cere-
mony, flew over the hedge, and the
duck, who preferred sleeping in the
open air, and therefore remained in
the court, hearing the rush of their
wings as they flew off, looked about
sharply, and perceiving little brook
swan away with more speed than she
had drawn the carriage. An hour or
two later the host lifted his head from
his pillow, and after washing, prepared
to dry himself on his towel, but the
malicious needle made a terrific scratch
quite across his face. Everything
seems to 90 wrong with me this morn
ing,' said he, and he sank despond.
emily into his armchair, but quickly
sprang up again, eXclaiming loudly, fol
the pin had treated him yet worse than
the needle. Greatly annoyed, his sus-
picion at once turned upon the guests
who had arrived so late the previous
evening, but upon looking after them
they were nowhere to be found. He
now made vow never again to receive
such ragamutfins into his house, who
devoured much, paid nothing and over
and above made him the victim OF
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